17.11.2007
Temenos II gains a place
Ensnared in decidedly light conditions in the Atlantic, the 9 duos in this Barcelona World Race have no option other than to be patient. Invariably, the weather situation reindexs twisted, and though there doesn't seem to be much hope of anything positive on this front, Michèle and Dominique can always count on the ranking to brighten their spirits. At 1300 hours, Temenos II had gained the upper hand in its duel with Estralla Damm and now occupies 3rd place. The two boats have been neck and neck for several days, and even though they've adopted different courses at times, they do seem to get together again later.
Behind them the battle continues to rage and the fleet have bunched right up together again over the past day, to the benefit of the pursuers. Situated 122 miles from the leader at 1300 hours yesterday, 8th placed Hugo Boss today had a deficit of just 72 miles at the same time.
There’s been no contact with the Temenos II duo today, but an email received last night from Michèle, sums up life onboard fairly well.
"0100 hours, Temenos II slipping along past African soil.
The proximity of a new zone of high pressure ahead of our bow is making us even more attentive, but we are fairly powerless nonetheless. We are suffering a little, especially as the weather models are camping out in different positions once again.
The wind is very flukey, but at least there is some because there wasn’t supposed to be any at all! One minute you have 15 knots, the next 7, not easy tonight… As an added bonus we have no stars, which is a shame as we were beginning to get used to them.
Once again, I’m eternally thankful for the instruments on this pitch black night, without a horizon, without sea, without sky and with the unpleasant sensation that we're going around in circles.
I’m ending my watch with the instrument dials incrusted in my pupils and I shall sleep with the numbers continually flashing through my head… constantly in search of gaining a few tenths of a knot and a few extra degrees...."
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